Former First Lady Michelle Obama shared intimate details about her parenting journey and personal growth while raising her daughters Malia and Sasha.

According to Daily Mail, the 61-year-old mother of two admitted on her podcast "IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson" that she previously used spanking as a disciplinary method but later abandoned the practice after feeling embarrassed about her actions.

Obama's candid discussion with her brother Craig Robinson and guests Damon and Marlon Wayans highlighted her evolution as a parent. She described feeling uncomfortable with physical discipline after realizing it wasn't an effective way to communicate with her children.

Michelle Obama's journey toward positive parenting methods

The former First Lady expressed how the experience made her reflect deeply on her parenting approach. She acknowledged feeling silly about using physical punishment and questioned whether it was the best way to handle disciplinary situations with her daughters.

Michelle Obama said the decision to stop spanking came after several incidents that made her reconsider her methods. The mother of Malia, 26, and Sasha, 23, emphasized that her changed perspective wasn't meant to criticize other parents' choices.

Her brother, Craig Robinson, joined her in the conversation, creating a platform for an honest discussion about generational differences in parenting styles. The podcast episode provided insights into the challenges parents face when deciding how to discipline their children effectively.

Setting boundaries without physical discipline

Obama spoke about her continued belief in maintaining clear boundaries with children. She explained why some traditional parenting values remain important to her despite moving away from physical punishment.

The former First Lady shared this perspective from Obama:

I want to be a proponent for reinstating some of the stuff that we had. Parents are too afraid to set those kinds of boundaries. And I think that's also part of the challenge that we're facing in this generation.

Her approach to discipline now focuses on consistency and clarity rather than physical punishment. She uses humor to illustrate her points about setting limits, such as teaching children appropriate ways to express frustration.

Impact on modern parenting discussions

The podcast conversation sparked significant online dialogue about disciplinary methods. Many parents related to Obama's experience and her decision to change her approach to discipline.

Obama's willingness to share her personal parenting challenges has resonated with many families facing similar decisions. Her evolution as a parent demonstrates how perspectives on discipline can change over time.

The former First Lady emphasized that perfect parenting doesn't exist, but continuous learning and adaptation are essential. She encouraged parents to remain open to growing and changing their approaches when necessary.

Looking back at meaningful change

Michelle Obama's revelation about spanking her daughters marked an important moment of transparency about parenting challenges. The former First Lady shared this experience during a podcast discussion with her brother Craig Robinson and the Wayans brothers. The conversation highlighted how Obama's parenting style evolved as she raised Malia and Sasha with former President Barack Obama. Her decision to stop using physical discipline reflected a broader personal journey toward finding more effective ways to guide and nurture her children while maintaining necessary boundaries.